Monday, November 19, 2012

Timely Manner



Feeding off the urge to write for my blog this evening and not quite sure what I wanted to say, I log onto my blog only to see that exactly one year ago today I had that same urge brewing inside. I had a desire to tell the world what I was destined for. Looking back I see that it was a time of awakening. A time that’s arrival could not have been more on cue.

I remember that night all too well. Standing behind the counter of a hotel front desk, hearing the clock tick as I watched an empty building sit in silence, I wrestled with my heart to keep quite a little while longer until my shift ended. A desire to write music, play instruments, and sing began to roar uncontrollably in my belly. At that moment the only thing that would tame it was to make this desire known to the world. I felt the Lord say to me, “Make it known; write it out for all to see.”

 Reflecting on this memory, I am reminded of every feeling from that night. I don’t think it is a coincidence that the exact same emotions welled up in my belly again this evening before realizing that this night took place precisely one year ago today. Why is it that I was in need of being reminded of this? As I ponder on a few possible answers to that question, I have to declare once more that I will one day find myself conquering that dream, the dream I wrote about on November 19, 2011. Although not every detail was wrote out, my heart was shown that day and I know without a doubt that I was created just for this. It shall come.

In this year I have walked a journey that has pushed me to grow. Since that night, I began writing music again and I have not stopped. I constantly find myself writing a chorus here, a verse there and at times finishing a whole song. I have braved performing my songs in front small crowds at open mics (I am not a fan of small crowds. I love performing to large crowds. The bigger, the better!) and have learned to allow myself to be raw when writing. I did not see then where I would be a year later, but what I see from looking back is the opportunities that knocked and I answered.

I hope that a year from today I am able to look back once again and see that I grew even more in many ways. I hope that new opportunities knock and I answer. I pray that this feeling of excitement never leaves and that you experience the great joys of your desire. Write it out, make it know.

“Write the vision and make it plain on tables, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

All the Small Steps

March 20. 1:29am. Today is just a normal day, with me going about my normal business. Work. Sleep. Work again. In this moment I’m running the night audit here at the hotel, so I have absolutely nothing better to do than think while I wait. In the mix of all my random thoughts, I get stuck on one in particular….. I’ve come such a long way since this time last year.
            It was then I had not touched my guitar in about five or six months. One sentence changed my life so drastically that I laid down my gift as if it was never meant to be. I was in this place where it seemed like I had nothing to live for. Music came so naturally, there was nothing else I thought about being, nothing else I’d rather do.  I saw the vision for my life and was running hard after it until then. I was so hard on myself. Believing that I sucked at everything to do with music; I couldn’t sing, I couldn’t play guitar, I just sucked at it all so why bother.

            Man. I look back and I can see it. I see the hurt and the pain. It’s heartbreaking to bring back to mind what I felt then when I see where I’m at now. I wish I could speak life into myself then, from the future of today that I am strong, fearless and aint nothin’ gonna stop me from reaching my dream. I recall something urged me to begin playing again around May-ish and I slowly wrote some music in the summer. Then In November at the Taylor Swift concert is when I was truly awoken to my dream again. (You can read about that in one of my earlier blogs.) It’s been said that “Every seed dies before it grows” and that is exactly what took place.

            Here I am. A YEAR later and I’m wrapped up in so much music its crazy! Two weeks ago I got my new guitar! I have been waiting forever for it! And I am in love. Last week I played in a bar at my first Open Mic and was asked to come back! Haha. It was amazing. I sang two of my own original songs, straight from the heart. I’m destined to play in front of the secular crowd! There is this energy, this rush I feel that is different from when I play in a church setting. There is something about it that I am so drawn too. Where I’ve always felt like I would be in the “world” singing; it’s true.  I LOVED every second of playing in that bar, I could’ve sung all night. I had the best time, and I can’t wait for more opportunities to open for me in that way.

            I am currently still leading worship at an all women’s home group every week. Love doing that and I love interacting with the ladies. I have grown so much since I started that in November.
           
            I am writing so much! Every time I turn around a new chorus just flows out. I keep trying to finish one song, get distracted in the middle of that and out comes a new catchy song! It’s crazy! Ha. I love every step of the process. If it comes to mind, please pray that creativity just flows out. That I am able to finish all of my songs I have going on here; that the right melodies and lyrics and chords come out. Most importantly that Papa just shows up pouring out His heart in the whole song. That He speaks the deisres of His heart for His children into my spirit. (:

            My excitement is just building up! There is so much happening. I’ve come such a long way in one year. These doors may seem small… but they all lead to where I’m headed. All the small steps add up. I am so thankful and grateful for all of my friends and family who support me in every way possible. You make this adventure more fun and exciting. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement.  You are loved beyond measure!

Much Love xoxo,
Morgan Rayshell



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Beauty of it All

Day 11.

Three hundred and fifty-five.
The number of days left in this leap year.

That’s plenty of enough time…
for you to be you.
When the world tries to make
you something you’re not
…simply say no.
Stand up for who you are.
Fight for what you believe.
Chase after the things you love.
Never pass up the chance to be YOU.

-------


Around a month ago the Lord began to tell me about the victories His people would be walking through in the New Year. Victory is here for those who have continuously walked through many trials in the previous years.  Victory is here for those who want it. He then went deeper to explain that the victory for me will come when I am my true self, when I walk in the person He has created me to be.

He began to tell me that a rose is victorious because it blooms into the magnificence He fashioned it to be. The beauty of a rose stands out because it simply does not try to take on the form of any other flower. I then see the image of Him relating that rose to me. My beauty stands out when I am myself. Trying to be someone I’m not takes away from His creativity; the thought He put behind perfecting me in my mother’s womb. When I know who I am, I begin to walk in His confidence. His confidence allows me to concur anything, becoming victorious.  

My resolution for the year: Be me.

Victory is here and I won’t let it pass by.



"To be yourself in a World that is constantly trying to make
you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
Ralph Waldo Emerson